Another reminder of her time travelling through time and space in the Tardis is a compilation of funny bits compiled by Matt on his mobile phone.

While it was obviously a huge wrench to leave such a big show, Karen is already showing she is much more than just Amy Pond.

In January, she was praised for her role as supermodel Jean Shrimpton in the BBC4 film, We’ll Take Manhattan.

Now she will be heading to Glasgow to film Not Another Happy Ending, her first leading role. She said: “I’m one step closer to my parents in Inverness which makes me so happy. I miss being up north so much.

“Because I’ll be based in Glasgow, I’ll be able to see them at weekends, which will be nice.”

The film’s director is John McKay, who also directed her in We’ll Take Manhattan.

Karen plays Jane Lockhart, a headstrong and passionate author of miserable fiction who suffers writer’s block on her second novel.

Her publisher Tom Welles embarks on a campaign to get her working again – by making her unhappy.

The film features Glasgow’s art scene and Karen is looking forward to spending time in the city, especially its vintage shops.

She started her acting career in Glasgow playing off-the-rails teenager Teri Cotter in a 2006 episode of Rebus.

And two years later she was back to make Channel 4 pilot Stacked.

The former model said: “I’m looking forward to immersing myself in Glasgow life because I’ve only ever been there for short period of times.

“There is this cool, happening movement going on. The art school is amazing.

“I want to get into that side of Glasgow and the film will show that side of the city. It’s a hub of creativity.”

Karen is excited at the prospect of filming in Glasgow and let’s slip she’s going to be maid of honour at a friend’s wedding during the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival near Beauly, Inverness-shire, in August.

She’s also a regular at her local music festival on the banks of Loch Ness.

Karen said: “I love RockNess so much. I love festivals. They are one of my favourite things to do. I like getting into it and camping.”

But before enjoying arty Glasgow and splashing about in Highland mud, she’s got Cannes to enjoy.

Sitting in her plush villa overlooking the city, she is itching to get started.

She said: “I want to go down to the centre and see it looking ridiculously lavish. I’ve no idea where I’m going to end up. We’ll just see what happens.”

Now a household name thanks to Doctor Who and about to make her debut on the big screen, has Karen got her eyes on Hollywood?

She said: “I’m just taking each acting job as it comes, whether it be telly, film or theatre.

“I just want to do good stuff. I’m not looking at this film as this big transition. I just really liked the project so decided to do it. It’s been my ambition to take on a film role when the right one came my way.

“When I first read the script, I immediately fell in love with Jane and felt really drawn to the role.

“As soon as I heard that John was on board, I knew it was something I wanted to do.

“I’m really looking forward to starting shooting.

“It’s going to be completely different to anything I’ve ever done and I can’t wait to get started.”

Karen was recently voted Scotland’s sexiest woman in a FHM magazine poll. With her striking looks, red hair and long slender legs, it’s no wonder she’s also been nominated for Fashion Icon in the Scottish Fashion Awards, up against model Tali Lennox and Hollywood star Tilda Swinton.

But that kind of attention makes Karen embarrassed.

She said: “Scotland’s sexiest woman is a very flattering title to hold, but I don’t believe that myself.

“I’m sure there are far sexier women in Scotland who just aren’t in the public eye.”